Reflection on Acts 1:8
You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the end of the earth.
It is the Holy Spirit, not we, who converts an individual. We, the privileged ambassadors of Jesus Christ, can communicate a verbal message; we can demonstrate through our life what the grace of Jesus Christ can accomplish. But let us never naively think that we have converted a soul and brought him to Jesus Christ. No one calls Jesus Lord except by the Holy Spirit (1Cor 12:3).
THE CHALLENGE
- In Mark 5:18-19, notice Jesus’ words to a man He had healed.
a) Where did Jesus send him?
b) What did Jesus tell him to do?
c) Why do you suppose Jesus gave these particular instructions?
- When you think about speaking of Christ, how do you react?
a) I find it difficult to speak of such a personal matter.
b) I do not speak unless someone asks me.
c) I find it easy to talk to friends about Christ, but not people I don’t know.
d) I find it easy to talk to strangers about Christ, but not close friends.
e) I often find myself talking to people about Christ, and I enjoy it very much.
How do you think the Apostle Peter would have answered this question? Acts 4:20
- Sometimes you may feel as though you “need to know all the answers” before you can be an effective witness for Christ.
a) What should you share with others? 1Jn 1:3
b) And for what purpose should you share with others?
- Contrast the differences in the lives of the people in these verses:
How did they act? Why did they act this way?
The Authorities
(Jn 12:42-43)
Paul
(Rom 1:15-16)
- Carefully examine 2 Corinthians 5:9-14. In this section Paul lists several motivations and reasons for witnessing for Christ. List those you discover.
Verse 9
Verse 10
Verse 11
Verse 14
Witnessing is taking a good look at the Lord Jesus and then telling others what you’ve seen.
HOW DO YOU BECOME AN EFFECTIVE WITNESS?
God does not want all of us to be teachers, but He wants all of us to be powerful witnesses. Witnessing is not merely an activity – it is a way of life. Christians don’t do witnessing; they are witnesses – good or bad. Concentrate on improving your witness for Jesus Christ.
Witness by Love
- Consider the qualities of love mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Which three do you feel would help you most to become a more effective witness for Christ?
- Read John 13:34-35. Imagine yourself as one of the apostles and Jesus has just finished making this statement. What immediately comes to your mind?
Why do you think Jesus gave this command?
Some people never read the Bible and seldom attend church. If you want them to know what Christ can do for them, let them see what Christ has done for you.
Witness by Life
- What can be the results of your good works? Mt 5:16
- Read 2 Corinthians 3:1-3. What did Paul say was true of the Corinthians?
Do you think people notice your life and consider it a witness for Jesus? Why or why not?
You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day, by the deeds that you do and the words that you say. Men read what you write – distorted or true. What is the gospel according to you?
Witness by Word
- What challenge and instruction relating to your witness can be found in 1 Peter 3:15?
Challenge:
Instruction:
- Paul gave some important facts about witnessing for Christ in 1 Corinthians 2:4-5. Paraphrase the verses.
- The blind man whom Jesus healed had little or no theological training, but he was able to relate simply and effectively the facts of his experience. What did he say? Jn 9:25-33
Can you make a statement similar to that of the healed blind man? How would you say it in your own words?
I cannot, by being good, tell men of Jesus’ atoning death and resurrection, nor of my faith in His divinity. The emphasis is too much on me, and too little on Him.
PAUL’S STORY
The Apostle Paul told the account of his conversion again and again, whenever he had the opportunity, even despite being imprisoned for preaching the gospel. Read the account of Paul’s witness in Acts 26:1-29, then answer the following questions:
- How did Paul begin his story? Verses 2-3
- What characterized his background? Verses 4, 5, 9-11
- What reversed the direction of Paul’s life? Verses 12-15
- How did Paul explain the gospel? Verse 23
What is the gospel?
Another simple explanation can be found in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.
- What did Paul ask Agrippa? Why is this question important? Verse 27
YOUR STORY
Now that you’ve seen how Paul gave his story, work on a way to tell yours. Sharing how YOU became a Christian can be one of the best ways to witness. It is particularly helpful in presenting Jesus Christ to relatives and friends, usually the most difficult people to whom to witness. In sharing the story of your experience:
– Make it personal – don’t preach. Tell what Christ has done for you. Use “I”, “me”, and “my” – not “you”.
– Make it short. Three or four minutes should be enough time to cover the essential facts.
– Keep Christ central. Always highlight what He has done for you.
– Use the Word of God. A verse or two of Scripture will add power to your story. Remember that the Word of God has a keen cutting edge.
How to Prepare Your Story
Try writing your story just the way you would tell it to an unbeliever. Make the story clear enough that the person hearing it would know how to receive Christ.
MY STORY
Before I trusted Christ
How I trusted Christ
SINCE I’ve trusted Christ
Remember that you do not have the power in yourself to convince anyone of spiritual truth. The Holy Spirit convicts non-Christians of their need to know Christ (Jn 16:8). As you pray for those with whom you desire to share your story, be sure to ask God to honor the proclamation of His Word, to convince people of their need of salvation, and to strengthen you as you share the gospel.
Tell a little about your life before you trusted Jesus Christ, then about your conversion – how you came to trust Him; and finally, something of what it has meant to know Him – the blessing of sins forgiven, assurance of eternal life, and other ways your life or outlook has changed. If you have been a Christian for a number of years, be sure that your story includes some current information about the continuing effect of Christ in your life.
As you prepare your story, ask the Lord to give you opportunities to share it. Pray for two or three whom you would particularly like to tell about Jesus Christ in your neighborhood, at work or at school, and take the first opportunity to share your story with them.
SUMMARY
It is God’s will that every Christian should bear witness to what they have seen and heard (1Jn 1:3).
Witnessing is a way of life – you are always bearing witness to something. By loving your neighbor, you can communicate God’s love and your genuine concern for people in the most practical way. Your actions speak louder than your words when it comes to telling others about the Lord Jesus. However, your actions alone cannot fully convey the gospel of Jesus Christ to another person. It is also necessary to bear witness through words – to openly confess Jesus Christ and proclaim to others how they can be reconciled with God. One of the most effective ways to communicate with someone is to share a personal testimony about how God has worked in your life.
The Bible is the book of life, the treasury of truth…
…refreshing the soul,
…making wise the simple,
…giving joy to the heart,
…more precious than gold,
…sweeter than honey,
…a great reward for those who obey it.
(see Ps 19:7-12)
The immense wisdom and riches of God, hidden in His Word, are available to all Christians. However, they are only possessed by those who diligently seek them out. Interior prayer is the key that opens the storehouse of God’s wisdom. If you spend time in interior prayer with God’s Word, you will better understand its meaning and what it has to say in your life.
“Think on these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress.” (1Tim 4:15) If you follow Christ, you may well be wondering what plans and purposes the Father has for your life, how you should walk in faith, and what He wants to see in your life.
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